The Opelousas courier., 1887-01-08
MY ONE ADVENTURE.
A woMAN's STORY.

NV husband had left for the nearest
settlement to purchase provisions. Baby
and / were alone for the first time, as we
generally accompanied him on these
trips.
Our nearest neighbors lived three
miles away. They were strange people,
the only woman in the family was a hall
breed, and the men were said to be rem
egade whites. So we felt entirely alone
as far as friends were concerned.
My untouched sewing still lay in my
lap, while / was endeavoring to dispel
my Loneliness and fear. Baby sat near
the open door laughing and Growing at
the kittens pranks. AS / took up my
work / gave a searching glance in the
direction my husband had gone, and to
my surprise beheld a party of horscmen
coming towards our dwelling. They
were several miles distant, but | coul i
discern them plainly, as there was moth
ing to obstruct my view.
My heart gave a great bound, all the
dangers / had imagined came rushing
upon me. ! remembered my husband
having told me a few days before hat
the Indians had been committing depre-
dations some fifty miles further West.
Who or what these men were I had
little time to decide, for they were rap
idly approaching. realized our danger
should they prove to be enemies and new
courage seemed to come to me.
We had a pet horse, a present from
my father. We valued her very highly
and had brought it from the States. If
they were Indian raiders the horse would
be captured. At first / thought of
mounting and seeking refuge with our
neighbors; but ! had nearly as great a
fear Of them as of the Indians, besides,
to carry my baby on a horse was beyond
my power. But / resolved to secure
Dolly at least. Taking babyin my arms
hurried to the stable intending to hide
her in a clump Of thick bushes where she
would be completely concealed IRON
view. But moi this would not do, I
would be seen by the advancing horse
men while leading her across the road.
Suddenly I thought of the CELLAR
would try to get her into it. After con-
siderable pulling and coaxing she was in
duced to descend the few earthen steps
and was out Of sight. I hastily closed
the trap-door and scattered some litter
and brush over it. Entering the house I
pressed baby to my heart as / uttered a
went prayer. Not more than half a
&iIe distant / plainly saw that the
strangers were Indians, painted and be-
decked as though On the war-path.
Closing and fastening the doors and win
dcws, / watched their movements as
they came up, without being seen by
them. They approached the house rap.
idly yet guardedly, and when not more
than twenty or thirty rods away they
stopped In consultation. They were
about tor in all, and one white man was
plainly discernible among them. After
talking o few minutes they again started
forward riding directly toward the door.
HoWhy heart beatl Holding baby
tights IN my arms / prayed to God to
SAVE US + strike us dead rather than
liver us into the hands of these ruth
u Indians to meet a fate worse than
death, perhaps. What would | have
given to have had my husbands shot
gun, which he had taken with himl
The only weapon we had except an axe
which ] grasped, resolved, if necessary,
to fight for my life. As they reached
the house they dismounted and came
boldly to the door, cautiously raising
the latch, which theA found secured.
Fearing they would Bseak in the door
I asked in as calm a voice as ! could
command what they wanted.
me big Indian, no hurt white squaw,n
was the answer, the Indian discovering
] was s woman by my voice, though |
spoke in as masculine voice as possible.
ssMe good Indian, want eat, want
drink, : continued the savage, the only
one who had spoken.
did not believe him and told them
they could get q drink at the well; that
! had nothing for them to eat, but by
going on few miles that they would
and friends who were Of their "
AT this they threatened to break down
the door If it was not opened. ] was
poweFless and saw that my only chance
to humor them. I tremblngly
opened The door, and as 1t swung back
in crowded the horrible war; painted
creatures, each peering curiously into
little room, hardly seeming to notice
90 intent were they upon plumber.
Tsae last 10 enter was the white man.
Great God how / started III saw him
for Recognized my only brother,
whom had not seen for years.
Instaataneously he recognized me, but
before ! could utter i word he made 4
aign for me to be silent. / understood
him. Ha did not wish the Indians to
know y any acquaiatanesship between
Y. they we're too Intent upon peeking
into boxes. eupboards and everything